What Makes Companies Fit for the Future
Practical perspectives for CEOs and senior decision-makers
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Internationalization and New Markets
Enter new international markets successfully and understand how market selection, local leadership, sales and organization shape the outcome of international expansion.
02
Restructuring and Transformation
Recognize when operational improvement is no longer enough and how clear priorities, faster decisions and structural change can restore or strengthen a company's ability to act.
03
Sales and Business Development
Connect customer focus, sales management and business development to identify market shifts earlier and convert new opportunities into profitable growth.
The book Firmen-Fitness – So machen wir Unternehmen fit für die Zukunft combines the practical experience of 15 Interim Managers based on a survey of 550 qualified Interim Managers. The book examines what helps companies remain competitive, recognize change early and develop new growth opportunities.
it's focus includes restructuring, transformation, internationalization, sales, digitalization and leadership. For CEOs and Managing Directors, it provides a practical perspective on where companies need to act today to remain competitive and effective tomorrow
Insights and Impulses from the United Interim Economic Report 2026/27
Editor: Dr. Harald Schönfeld
About the Authors
Experienced Interim Managers with Hands-On Business Responsibility
Friedhelm Best
15 Business Experts
Firmen-Fitness brings together contributions from 15 Interim Managers and complements their experience with the views of 550 additional qualified interim managers. The book is edited by Dr. Harald Schönfeld, co-founder and Managing Director of United Interim.
The authors Ulvi Aydin, Friedhelm Best, Jan Beutnagel, Ulf Camehn, Christian Florschütz, Eckhart Hilgenstock, Christian Jung, Jane Enny van Lambalgen, Dr. Sven Mues, Ulrich Schmidt, Klaus-Peter Stöppler, Roland Streibich, Paul Stricker, and Dr. Andreas Vieweg bring together diverse perspectives from corporate management, restructuring, sales, production, human resources, and international business.
What to expect
Firmen-Fitness takes a practical look at the factors that shape corporate competitiveness and future readiness. The authors address restructuring and transformation alongside internationalization, sales, business development, digitalization, automation, customer focus and resilience. The book draws on the authors' experience and the views of 550 qualified interim managers working across different business situations.
Inside you will find
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Causes of corporate underperformance and practical experience from restructuring and transformation.
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Success factors for internationalization, new markets and the expansion of German companies into Asia.
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Approaches to customer focus, business development, sales management and digital sales transformation.
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Perspectives on process optimization, digitalization, automation, AI, leadership and resilience.
Inside the Book
What Makes Companies Future-Ready
What You Will Learn
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Recognize the factors that shape your company's competitiveness and future readiness.
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Assess when optimization is sufficient and when restructuring or transformation becomes necessary.
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Evaluate which international markets and customer segments offer relevant growth opportunities.
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Prioritize how sales, business development and operational initiatives should respond to market change.
Firmen-Fitness brings together different management perspectives to answer a practical question: how can companies remain competitive, adaptable and operationally effective?
Frequently Asked Questions About AI, and International Business Expansion
Explore the key questions business leaders ask about artificial intelligence, BRICS economies, and the strategic implications for international growth and market expansion
Wich Priorities Will Determine Your Company's Future Readiness?
Firmen-Fitness provides experience and perspectives from different business situations. The next question is which of these priorities matter most for your company now.
Friedhelm Best supports international industrial companies with internationalization, restructuring, transformation, sales and performance improvement. His work connects strategic realignment with operational execution across Europe and Asia-Pacific.
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International growth opportunities
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Restructuring and transformation
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Sales and business development
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Performance improvement
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Market entry and expansion in Europe and APAC
